THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NY & NJ

Press Release Article

PORT AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE TO SPEAK AT THE REGIONAL ALLIANCE FOR SMALL CONTRACTORS 2006 CLEARINGHOUSE FOR MINORITY-OWNED, WOMEN-OWNED AND SMALL BUSINESSES

Date: Feb 27, 2006Press Release Number: 12-2006

More than 300 minority-owned, women-owned and small businesses are expected to meet this week with Steven Plate, Director of the Port Authority’s Priority Capital Programs, Jet Blue Vice President Richard Smyth and other construction industry leaders at the Regional Alliance for Small Contractors’ Clearinghouse. The event will take place Thursday, March 2, between 8:30 a.m. and noon at Con Edison’s New York City headquarters at 4 Irving Place in the 19th floor Auditorium.

The Regional Alliance for Small Contractors - a not-for-profit organization that acts as a bridge between public and private organizations in the construction industry - was created in 1991 under the leadership of the Port Authority. Its purpose is to help small, minority-owned and women-owned businesses improve their ability to compete for construction and construction-related contracts in the New York and New Jersey region.

Park City Authority, JetBlue Airways, New Jersey Transit, New York Power Authority, New York City School Construction Authority, PSE&G and Tishman Realty & Construction Co.

“This is a great event,” Mr. Plate said. “It gives the Port Authority an opportunity to network with minority-owned, women-owned and small businesses that have the kinds of skills necessary to help the agency to implement its $1.8 billion capital program, which includes the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site. It also shows these firms how to successfully bid on Port Authority contracts.”

Earle Walker, the Regional Alliance’s Executive Director said, “the Clearinghouse gives small businesses the unique opportunity to network with larger companies and get valuable information on how to be successful in a highly competitive industry. These kinds of forums are essential for the success of minority-owned, women-owned and small businesses in the construction industry.”

Participants also will receive the Clearinghouse 2006 Resource Book, which contains information about the sponsors, including names, addresses and telephone numbers for appropriate staff.

The Alliance provides financial, technical, management and marketing support; promotes policies that strengthen the regional construction industry; and works to increase the representation of minorities and women in ownership and management positions. the Alliance also seeks to increase the number and size of construction contracts awarded to participating companies.

For more information on the Contractors’ Clearinghouse, call the Regional Alliance for Small Contractors at 212 268-2991 or fax to 212 268-7509.